Beverage bottle carrier and handle

ABSTRACT

A beverage bottle carrier and handle which may be used with bottle as both a handle and a carrier. The invention includes a top ring having a circumference slightly smaller than the outside circumference of the bottle which is connected by a handle to a bottom ring having a circumference slightly smaller than the outside circumference of the bottle. The bottom ring is pushed down over the body of the bottle to a point below the midpoint of the bottle and the top ring is pushed down over the body of the bottle to a point above the midpoint of the bottle such that the handle may be used to manipulate the bottle. The bottom ring may be pushed to a point above the midpoint of the bottle and the handle then forms a loop which may be used to carry the bottle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relies for priority upon the Provisional Patent Application filed by Bradley Eveleth entitled Beverage Bottle Handle, Ser. No. 60/926,652, filed Apr. 28, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to plastic beverage bottles and more specifically to a handle which may be added to a plastic beverage bottle.

2. Background Information

In the United States and throughout the world, millions of people use a variety of plastic beverage bottles every day. The bottles appear to be getting larger and larger with two and even three liter bottles being sold. Most of these bottles are made of very thin plastic and are too large for the average person to grasp and use with one hand. The handling of such large plastic beverage bottles is made even more difficult by their construction. If a person squeezes the bottle hard enough to control it, the plastic deforms which can cause liquid to squirt out uncontrollably.

A number of after market handles have been invented which are affixed in some manner to a large beverage bottle. These handles not only provide a handle which makes the bottle much easier to control, but also provide stability for the shape of the bottle.

Several inventions which address the above problems have been patented. The patent to Carroll et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,231; May 9, 1995), for example, discloses a removable bottle handle which includes a base, a handle, and a neck. The neck is in the form of a loop which fits over the top of the bottle. The base is roughly perpendicular to the sides of the bottle and supports the base of the bottle. The handle connects the neck and the base. The patent to Wedlin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,876; Apr. 28, 1987) discloses a reusable bottle handle which includes a top neck and a bottom neck connected by a handle. The top and bottom necks are semicircular and the circular portions are greater than 180 degrees such that the top neck may be snapped onto the neck of the bottle and the bottom neck may be snapped onto the body of the bottle.

The beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention solves the above problems in a new and unique way. The ideal beverage bottle carrier and handle should be capable of being affixed to a large beverage bottle such that it provides a handlesfor the bottle. The ideal beverage bottle carrier and handle should also provide support for the beverage bottle such that it maintains its shape. The ideal beverage bottle carrier and handle should also provide a carrier mode in which a handy carrying loop is provided. The ideal beverage bottle carrier and handle should also be simple, reliable, inexpensive, and easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention is described below and is made to be used with a conventional large beverage bottle. Such beverage bottles have a body, a

neck, and a cap, none of which are considered to be a part of the invention The bottle handle and carrier of the instant invention is a single piece made of flat plastic. The plastic is rigid enough to hold its shape when used to lift and manipulate a beverage bottle, but is also capable of being slightly stretched. In the preferred embodiment, the same plastic is used as is used in the familiar six ring connector commonly used to hold a six pack of twelve ounce sodas together.

The instant invention includes a bottom ring and a top ring connected by a handle. The bottom ring includes a pair of tabs which protrude inward toward the center of the bottom ring. The outer circumference of both the top and bottom rings is slightly smaller than the outer circumference of the beverage bottle with which the bottle handle and carrier are to be used. In some instances, the circumference of the top and bottom rings may be the same as the outer circumference of the beverage bottle.

In the preferred embodiment the beverage bottle carrier and handle may be incorporated with the beverage bottle. That is, the instant invention may be in place on the beverage bottle when it reaches the user. The beverage bottle carrier and handle would be placed on the bottle in the carry configuration. That is, the bottom ring would be placed above the midpoint of the bottle and the top ring would be placed above the bottom ring such that the handle portion would assume the shape of a loop and could be used as a carrier to carry the bottle. A user could then use the tabs to pull the bottom ring downward below the midpoint of the bottle which would cause the handle portion to be transformed into a handle which could be used to hold and manipulate the bottle.

In a second embodiment, the beverage bottle and handle would also be incorporated with the beverage bottle, but would come to the user with the top ring above the midpoint of the bottle and the bottom ring below the midpoint of the bottle such that the handle portion forms a handle which could be used to hold or manipulate the bottle. The tabs could then be used to lift the bottom ring to a point above the midpoint of the bottle such that the handle would then form a loop which could be used as a carrier as described above.

In a third embodiment, the beverage bottle and handle would be provided separately form the bottle and a user could use the tabs to pull the bottom ring down over the top of the bottle. The top ring is then pushed down over the top of the bottle. The bottom ring is positioned below the midpoint of the beverage bottle and the top ring is positioned above the midpoint of the beverage bottle. The top ring and the bottom ring are sufficiently far apart that the connecting handle bends outward away from the bottle just enough for a user to slip the fingers between the handle and the bottle and manipulate the bottle using the handle. The bottom ring may also be pushed upward to a position just below the top ring. The handle then forms a loop which may be used as a convenient bottle carrier.

In a fourth embodiment, the top ring would include a top ring tab which protrudes inward from the top ring at a point opposite the handle. This top ring tab could be used by a user to assist in pulling the top ring down over the top of the bottle.

One of the major objects of the present invention is to provide a beverage bottle carrier and handle capable of being affixed to a large beverage bottle such that it provides a handle for the bottle.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide support for the beverage bottle such that it maintains its shape.

Another objective of the present invention is to also provide a carrier mode in which a handy carrying loop is provided

These and other features of the invention will become apparent when taken in consideration with the following detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention affixed to a beverage bottle in the handle position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention affixed to a beverage bottle in the carrier position; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention not affixed to a beverage bottle.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 3 there is shown the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention. The instant invention is made to be used with a conventional large beverage bottle. Such beverage bottles have a body, a neck, and a cap none of which are considered to be a part of the invention. Such bottles also have a bottle ring which is located at the base of the neck of the bottle. The top of the neck of such bottles is typically threaded such that the cap may be threaded onto the bottle. Beverage bottles are shown with phantom lines and are not considered a part of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the instant invention would be affixed to a bottle and would come to the user with the device in the carrier position. In a second embodiment, the device would be sold separate from the bottle and placed on the bottle by the user.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a side view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention affixed to a beverage bottle in the handle position is shown. A bottle 2 represents any of a variety of conventional beverage bottles which may be plastic, glass, or some other material. The instant invention includes a top ring 4, and bottom ring 6, and a handle 8. The top ring 4 and the bottom ring 6 are hollow circles having an outer circumference slightly smaller than the outer circumference of the bottle 2. Said bottom ring 6 includes a pair of tabs 10 which protrude downward from said bottom ring 6 when the beverage bottle carrier and handle is affixed to a bottle as shown. As may be seen, said bottom ring 6 is positioned below the midpoint of said bottle 2 and said top ring 4 is positioned above the midpoint of said bottle 2. Said bottom ring 6 and said top ring 4 are sufficiently far apart that said handle 8 bend slightly outward away from said bottle 2 such that fingers may be slid between said handle 8 and said bottle 2. Said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 are held in place by the friction created between said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 and said bottle 2.

Still referring to FIG. 1, it should be understood that said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 are not necessarily round as depicted, but the process of placing said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 on said bottle 2 may require that they be some other shape than round. It should also be understood that in some applications, said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 may be sized such that they have the same circumference as said bottle 2. It should also be understood that the instant invention would work equally well with the circumference of said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 8 having the same circumference as said bottle 2. The ring could be held in place with glue or something similar.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a side view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention affixed to a beverage bottle in the carrier position is shown. Because said bottom ring 6 engages said bottle 2 through friction and is not permanently affixed, it may be slid upward until it approaches said top ring 4. Said tabs 10 may be used to accomplish the sliding of said bottom ring 6. As may be seen, because said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 6 are in close proximity, said handle 8 forms a loop in this position. With said handle 8 in a loop, said handle 8 becomes a handy carrier which may be used to carry said bottle 2. It will be understood that the instant invention could be provided to the user in either the handle position or the carrier position.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a top view of the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention not affixed to a beverage bottle is shown. When not affixed to said bottle 2, the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention is a flat piece of plastic which is rigid enough to maintain it's shape when in use, but is capable of being stretched enough to be forced onto said bottle 2. Said top ring 4 is connected to said bottom ring 6 by said handle 8. Said tabs 10 protrude inward from said bottom ring 6 with one of said tabs 10 in proximity to said handle 8 and the other of said tabs 10 on the opposite side of said bottom ring 6. Each of said tabs 10 includes a finger hole 12 which makes them more convenient to grasp. In another embodiment of the instant invention, there may be a third of said tabs 10 which protrudes inward from the portion of said top ring 4 opposite said handle 8. This third of said tabs 10 may also include a finger hole 12. This third of said tabs 10 may be used to assist in pulling said ring 4 down over said bottle 2 as described above. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the instant invention is affixed to said bottle 2, said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 6 deform such that their flat surfaces are parallel with the surface of said bottle 2. The outside circumference of said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 6 is slightly smaller than the outside circumference of said bottle 2. Said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 6 apply pressure to the outer surface of said bottle 2 and help said bottle 2 to retain its shape.

In operation, the instant invention could be affixed to the bottle at the factory or could be provided separately to the user who would affix the beverage bottle carrier and handle of the instant invention to the bottle. It will also be understood that the instant invention could be provided already affixed to the bottle in either the carrier (loop) position or in the handle position. If received in the carrier position, the user could use the tabs to pull the bottom ring down to change the invention to the handle position. If received in the handle position, the user could use the tabs to lift the bottom ring such that the instant invention assumes the carrier position.

All elements of the beverage bottle carrier and handle are made from plastic, but other materials having similar properties may be used. The plastic must be sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape, but flexible enough that said top ring 4 and said bottom ring 6 may be forced down over said bottle 2.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A beverage bottle carrier and handle for use with a bottle, the bottle having a top and a bottom, comprising: (1) a top ring having a circumference slightly smaller than the circumference of the outside surface of the bottle, the top ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle; (2) a handle which is affixed to one side of said top ring; and (3) a bottom ring affixed to the end of the handle opposite said top ring and having a circumference slightly smaller than the circumference of the outside surface of said bottle, the bottom ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle to a position below said top ring.
 2. A beverage bottle carrier and handle for use with a bottle, the bottle having a top and a bottom, comprising: (1) a top ring having a circumference slightly smaller than the circumference of the outside surface of the bottle, the top ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle; (2) a handle which is affixed to one side of said top ring; and (3) a bottom ring affixed to the end of the handle opposite said top ring and having a circumference slightly smaller than the circumference of the outside surface of said bottle, the bottom ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle at a position below said top ring and slidable up and down the outer surface of said bottle; whereby, said bottom ring may be forced over said bottle to a position above the midpoint of said bottle, said top ring may be forced down over said bottle to a position above said bottom ring such that said handle forms a loop which may be used as a carrier for said bottle and said bottom ring may be forced downward to a point below the midpoint of said bottle and said handle forms a handle which may be used to manipulate said bottle.
 3. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 2,in which a tab is affixed to said top ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said top ring up and down said bottle.
 4. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 2 in which a tab is affixed to said bottom ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said bottom ring up and down said bottle.
 5. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 3 in which a tab is affixed to said bottom ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said bottom ring up and down said bottle.
 6. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 4 in which a tab is affixed to said top ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said top ring up and down said bottle.
 7. A beverage bottle carrier and handle for use with a bottle, the bottle having a top and a bottom, comprising: (1) a top ring having a circumference the same size as the circumference of the outside surface of the bottle, the top ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle; (2) a handle which is affixed to one side of said top ring; and (3) a bottom ring affixed to the end of the handle opposite said top ring and having a circumference the same as the circumference of the outside surface of said bottle, the bottom ring being flexible enough to be forced around said bottle at a position below said top ring and slidable up and down the outer surface of said bottle; whereby, said bottom ring may be forced over said bottle to a position above the midpoint of said bottle, said top ring may be forced down over said bottle to a position above said bottom ring such that said handle forms a loop which may be used as a carrier for said bottle and said bottom ring may be forced downward to a point below the midpoint of said bottle and said handle forms a handle which may be used to manipulate said bottle.
 8. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 7 in which a tab is affixed to said top ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said top ring up and down said bottle.
 9. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 7 in which a tab is affixed to said bottom ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said bottom ring up and down said bottle.
 10. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 8 in which a tab is affixed to said bottom ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said bottom ring up and down said bottle.
 11. The beverage bottle carrier and handle of claim 9 in which a tab is affixed to said top ring which is capable of being grasped to assist in sliding said top ring up and down said bottle. 